Herbert Hoover, the 31st U.S. president, was born in the village of West Branch, Iowa, to a family of modest means. He said that there he received tender care of mind and body, his first steps in education, and knowledge of poverty and struggle for family betterment that contributed to understanding American life. He believed in the unbounded opportunity of American life, and his family, faith, education, and hard work opened a world of opportunity from simple beginnings to the presidency.